CRTC Won’t Intervine with New Media

Besides annoying the heck out of conventional TV broadcasters by not approving carriage fees, the CRTC will not step on the toes of new media by setting forth specific regulations.

“While broadcasting in new media is growing in importance, we do not believe that regulatory intervention is necessary at this time,” said Konrad von Finckenstein, Q.C., Chairman of the CRTC on Thursday. “We found that the Internet and mobile services are acting in a complementary fashion to the traditional broadcasting system. Any intervention on our part would only get in the way of innovation.”

The Commission expects to review its approach within the next five years. Basically they said, ‘We don’t know how to regulate the Internet right now — we’re too old school.’

“Many countries have already developed their own plans to respond to this environment. The Commission therefore fully endorses the National Film Board’s call for a national digital strategy,” said a news release.